This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure for more information.
How to Get Free Stuff You Actually Want
Have you ever walked around the store or a mall and past those booths with the people calling you over to “try” something?
If you’re anything like me you just walk fast and try to avoid them or lie to them and tell them you’re in a big rush just to avoid the uncomfortable sales pitch you knew was coming next (I hope I am not the only one that does this).
I have seen many people suckered in to get a free spa treatment only to end up walking away purchasing $100 worth of products they never needed. Or friends waved over to a mall booth to get their complimentary hair styling done only to feel so guilty for having wasted 30 minutes of the sales persons day and not buy the item that they end up buying the $60 magic flat iron that was used to make their hair look “fabulous.”
Or maybe you have been in a store like Sam’s Club or Bj’s, and you were called over to a “giveaway” where if you stayed around to see a demonstration of a new product that they would give away a prize to one lucky winner at the end.
The prize is usually something minor, but you feel so grateful (or guilty) for having won that you end up buying the $50 car wax kit after everyone else scattered like roaches and you were left to collect your gift. Yes, that happened to my fiance, and we still have that car wash/wax kit, and it’s never even been opened.
It’s situations like those that had me thinking that anytime a company or brand was giving away something for “free” that it was a sales pitch or that they just wanted my information so they can spam me later. And because I used to have a hard time saying no, I avoided sales situations like the plague.
Well since starting my blog and becoming aware of marketing tactics and learning more about how to spot scams I now know that there is such a thing as “free.” If you are better informed about how brands market, you can make better decisions and avoid being suckered into a sales situation or scam.
So while there are scams out there, there are legit ways to get things you would normally pay for and not just samples; although, you can get those too (perfect for travel and for trying new products before you buy).
This is why I am starting the Free Stuff Series; I wanted to educate my readers about how companies market to consumers and share with you some tips and tricks on getting free stuff.
I am going to go through a whole bunch of ways to get free stuff and give you advice on how to avoid scams and keep yourself organized and stress-free in the process. I am also going to share with you why companies give away stuff so that you understand why there is such a thing as “FREE.”
Whether it’s a free sample, free service, product, meal or a free education, there is sure to be something for you in this FREE STUFF Series so keep on reading!
Why Would Companies Give Out Free Stuff?
Companies give away stuff for many different reasons. In many cases, it’s part of their overall marketing strategy and a way for them to find new customers. Companies are trying to build a brand, so giving away a free product or service gives them good press, and they can then turn around and use that good press to sell premium products and services that they offer.
Some large brands give away samples of their products or software with the hope that you’ll like what you get and decide to buy something from them later.
Some retailers use what they call a loss leader strategy. Loss leaders are goods or services offered at steep discounts or free in some cases, which I will explain in more detail, to attract customers to the store. It is a popular practice that has been met with lots of success, especially by large retailers. The intent of this pricing strategy is to not only have the customer buy the loss leader item but other products that are not discounted since most people usually buy more than a few items on a shopping trip.
Other companies, particularly service-based ones, offer free trials, limited plans or samples in the hopes to convert some of their free customers to paid customers. And then there are companies that give away stuff because they want something in return from you, such as feedback on their product or service or for you to help them spread the word on their brand through social media and so on.
So as you can see, giving away stuff is in the best interest of the companies that are doing it, and you will see as you go through the different articles in the Free Stuff Series, what type of strategy is being used by the company and how you can benefit.
Now that you understand why companies would give out free stuff we can move to the fun parts of the Free Stuff Series.
The FREE STUFF SERIES:
- 10 Ways to Get Free Amazon Gift Cards
- How to Listen to Audiobooks for Free
- How to Stream Movies & TV for Free
- How to Find Free Craft Classes Online
- How to Get Free Books You’ll Actually Want to Read
- How to Print for Free
- Shop for Free by Referring your Friends
- How to Earn Free Gift Cards Every Month
- Free Prescription Discount Cards
- How to Get Free Clothes
- The Best Free Online Courses for Bloggers
Questions or comments? Comment below! Like this series? Share it with your friends by using the share buttons above and below this article.
Need help with budgeting and saving money? Join my email list below and get money-making and saving tips, promotions, and exclusive freebies sent right to your inbox. Sign up below!
